The Aesthetica Short Film Festival, Opening in Less Than a Month

There is now less than one month to go until the opening of The Aesthetica Short Film Festival (ASFF). The festival will present a sparkling selection of screenings, premieres and masterclasses in venues across the city of York, UK, from the 8-11 November this year. The programme can now be found online at www.asff.co.uk, where tickets are also available.

ASFF 2012 will once again be using its historic home territory as a backdrop for the festival, with screenings taking place across 15 different venues. From the historic Mansion House and 600 year-old Guildhall to bustling boutique cinemas in bars and shops across the city, the innovative and inspiring settings that inform this fantastic programme are sure to excite and delight visitors, whether film aficionados or curious cinematic explorers.

Guest screenings and talks from the likes of BAFTA and Channel 4 will represent the pinnacle of this year’s ASFF. One of the many highlights will be a celebratory screening of shorts from Warp Films, the world-famous British production company responsible for Four Lions and This is England. The festival will bring also some of the most respected members of the film industry to York, including Danny Cohen (cinematographer, The King’s Speech and Les Misérables) and Barry Ryan Head of Production for Warp Films (Dead Man’s Shoes and Submarine). However, as one of the most innovative arts events in the UK, ASFF 2012 will also be distinguished by a deftly selected screening programme that showcases some of the best emerging talent in international filmmaking, while also celebrating the achievements of a more established generation of young filmmakers.

One of the strengths of ASFF’s screening programme is its sheer diversity. The films represent the work of both emerging and established filmmakers, crossing continental as well boundaries or genre. This year’s festival has a distinctly cosmopolitan flavour, screening films from over 25 countries worldwide. From Serbian comedy Zalet (dir. Miroslav Zamatov) to the poignant Iranian drama, Suddenly Zinat…’ (dir. Navid Nikkah Azad), these international screenings present a fascinating and unique insight into film culture across the world, celebrating their varied perspectives and bringing these original and exciting films to a new audience in the UK.

ASFF will also showcase some of the best talent from the British film industry, screening many films that have already experienced great success on the UK festival circuit. The multi-award-winning Guerrier brothers (Doctor Who, Torchwood, Being Human) will be returning for a second year. Their film, Revealing Diary, will be screening alongside new award-winning talent including Calum Mcdiarmid, winner of this year’s Audience Award at Rushes Soho Shorts Festival for ASFF selection, 82, and Douglas Hart, whose film Long Distance Information, also appearing at ASFF 2012, has won several awards this year, including the Short Film Award at Rushes.

Such a stellar programme is sure to generate great anticipation in audiences across the UK and beyond, reaffirming Jay Arnold, Head of Film Culture at Creative England’s comment that ASFF is “one of the most exciting new film events to emerge in recent years”. Partnered this year by Northern Rail, the festival is sure to bring visitors to York from across the UK: one of many reasons why Professor David Fleming, Vice Chancellor of lead sponsor, York St John University, is able to describe ASFF as “a fantastic addition to York’s event calendar”. However, beyond its value to its home town, this is a festival that promises to contribute to film culture across the UK and beyond. As festival director, Cherie Federico notes, we “couldn’t be more excited.”